888 miles to Nashville

At 5:45 a.m. and with the temperatures holding steady below zero, my husband and I packed up our little black SUV and headed southeast for 13 and a half hours.

There is nothing like the excitement of driving in the early morning hours and watching the sun rise over the plains of the midwest. The cold even made for some great steam shots!

Growing up, I would take a very similar early morning drive with my Dad. I grew up in a divorced family and with my Dad living in Iowa, we took this drive before the sun came up many times on the way back and forth between homes. We survived on rest stop, vending machine French vanilla coffee. Sunrise and sugar. . .a great combo!

Being the first week of February in the midwest, we didn’t see the temperature rise above zero until we were at least halfway through the Iowa flatlands. Good thing we had a full tank of gas and plenty of snacks, no need to stop for hours!

Throughout the drive, every state welcomed us with their version of a perfectly sunny day. This is what I prefer for long, cross-country road trips. The sun keeps me awake, stimulated and downright smiley. . .solid, uplifting energy not even three cups of coffee can touch.

Right after lunchtime (jerky, Nut Thins and tangerines) we made it to the other side of the Mississippi in St. Louis, MO right after lunchtime. Hi Arch!

After making our way across southern Illinois and northern Kentucky, and saying goodnight to the sun, we made it to Tennessee.

After hour after hour of rural landscape, we came upon this sight. . .

Hello Nashville!

As a songwriter/musician, Nashville is practically my husband’s second home. So he had our long-weekend planned with things to do to familiarize this Nashville newbie.

We ended up staying with friends in East Nashville for two nights and in Franklin with another group of friends for a night. So grateful for the welcoming and openness of others — something I can take for granted, but happy to truly recognize it now.

Walked/ran the Nashville greenway (even though it was snowing that day! apparently we brought the winter with us!)

Watched the Superbowl with Nashvillians (is that correct?!) at our friends’ home in East

We even did the touristy thing and shopped for some boots. . .although, they were buy one pair and get TWO free. . .at about $400/pair, we had to leave boot-less

Truly, I saw this road trip as a chance to shake things up. To say “yes” more, instead of worrying about all the “why I shouldn’t do this…” mind chatter. I also find that road trips, to anywhere and for any amount of time, are very inspiring to me. I need a change of scenery and new pace of life from time to time. It puts life in a new perspective that all writers need to fuel their creativity. I am grateful for the flexibility in my life to have the ability to experience these changes often.

Lastly, it was a great chance for me to experience the life my husband lives once every two months or so. We even captured a great pic of us enjoying life. It never escapes me how cool it is that we are here and present in this very moment. Don’t let life pass you without noticing how great it is to be here right now.

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Comments

B – the 888 sequence – from the Angels perspective – means; “A phase of your life is about to end, and this is a sign to give you forewarning to prepare. The crops are ripe. Don’t wait to pick and enjoy them. In other words, don’t procrastinate making your move or enjoying fruits of your labor.”

Well you are more of a travelling girl in an SUV than I am Blair. I can handle a few hours fairly easily after that I am ready to arrive. That’s why I prefer when we can fly if we go away. I loved reading about your fun time in Nashville. Great pictures.

Blair, I love road trips too! The drive does not bother me at all, nor hours in the car. I sing, read and admire the scenery and enjoy chatting with my husband. Tennessee is one of my favorite states. So very lush compared to the flatness of Texas. I think little-get- aways are so good for us! I’m definitely in need of one now. Loved your pictures and I’m so impressed that you left “bootless”. Way to exercise the willpower. 🙂

Hi Karen! Sounds like you would be a good road trip partner! I love getting lost in the scenery too. TN was great! I’m sure I’ll be back soon enough, but then I’ll have to road trip Texas – I’ve never been there other than a small part of Dallas 🙂 HUGE willpower 😉 Have a great day!